Customs clearance involves four main stages: pre-clearance, clearance at the border, examination of goods, and post-clearance procedures. Incoterms are essential standards for international trade that define responsibilities of importers and exporters to avoid misunderstandings. When importing or exporting, working with a freight forwarder who has relationships with customs agencies worldwide can help ensure timely and cost-effective clearance. Proper documentation is also important for customs to clear shipments. Certain goods like dual-use, agricultural, and excisable products are subject to government regulations and import quotas. Importers are generally responsible for paying applicable import duties and taxes.

1. Customs Clearance knowhows
If you have goods being shipped to a different country, it is almost guaranteed that they will need
to go through customs clearance before they can be released. It can seem complex, especially if
you are dealing with a foreign language and are unfamiliar with that country's regulations.
Understanding how customs clearance works will help you to understand the process better,
which in turn may help you decide custom costs better. The method of customs clearance can be
divided into four stages:
 Pre-clearance.
 Clearance at the Border.
 Entry and Examination of Goods.
 Post-clearance Procedures.
Incoterms®
Due to their wide application, the Incoterms® is one of the essential standards when
communicating with your business partners. They are used daily by exporters and importers
worldwide to ensure transparent reporting and avoid costly misunderstandings. These cases can
be business critical as wrong interpretation might lead to financial losses or delays in the worst
case. It is therefore important to be familiar with the rules of your preferred Incoterms®.
Primarily when you deal with overseas trade regularly, it will be inevitable to encounter unusual
situations. In these cases, unique interpretations might be helpful.
Customs Clearance for Exporting
The first step to ensure timely and cost-effective clearance of your export shipments is to work
with a freight forwarder that has established relationships with customs clearance agencies
worldwide. The freight forwarder will submit the necessary documentation to import and export
authorities on your behalf to secure the release of your shipment.

2. Proper documentation can help to ensure a successful export clearance. The shipper provides
their brokers with the necessary documentation. And the broker submits a complaint form to
customs. If the customs office is satisfied with your paperwork and authorizes release, you will
be granted an official certificate of clearance to export (such as an ATA Carnet).
Inspections may occur physically or through documentation, with customs authorities applying
varying control procedures to assess that exportation complies with national and international
laws. For example, they may require inspecting the containers and products or have their usage
demonstrated before clearing it through customs.
Customs Clearance for Importing
When working with a customs broker, importing goods into and exporting them from your
country will be an experience similar to clearing outbound and inbound shipments. When you
talk to your broker about the delivery, discuss the plan and provide all the necessary documents,
such as import licenses, commercial invoices, product certificates, and proof of origin
certificates.
An invoice is the purchase record used to establish a business relationship. It should also contain
the necessary information for your customs department, international business partner and
broker. After receiving documentation from your broker, the Customs Office either clears goods
for entry or decides to inspect them. If your goods get held up in customs, you will need to find a
way to clear them.
Which Goods Are Subjected to Government Regulations?
Government regulation of goods is necessary to ensure that these goods meet specific standards:
 The export of dual-use products is subject to government regulation because they have
civilian and military applications. These products include manufactured items, technical
components for machinery, software and technology. In some countries, exporting these
items can be prohibited entirely.
 Agricultural products are subject to import quotas by many countries. It is to prevent a
negative effect on their economies.
 Excisable goods are subject to a unique system of import duty, with certain alcoholic
beverages and tobacco products attracting high anti-dumping duties.
Paying Customs Duties
Importing goods into a foreign market can be tricky. Many factors affect whether a product is
exported and how much you should expect to pay for this process. For example, rules relating to
shipping, duties and taxes will also dictate the viability of your goods in the market. Moreover,
certain products require approval from the country's customs board before they can be marketed
here. Therefore, regardless of whether you intend to import or export products, you must get
informed about rules that apply to both processes.

3. All commercial goods must be declared to customs officials, and taxes will be levied at the
applicable rate for that product's tariff classifications. The importer of record is generally
responsible for paying import duties – but only if they pay any Sales or Excise Taxes. In some
cases, anti-dumping charges are assessed for goods priced significantly below their cost of
production.
As a leading global provider of forwarding and logistics services, Transworld Group handles all
customs documentation, clearing and shipping in-country. From ports and terminals to
warehouses, airports and transit centers, our comprehensive range of services will ensure that
you make the most out of your international supply chain. It means faster service and delivery to
get back to business.